Your voice for a more bicycle-friendly New York State since 1990

Vision Zero

We like the language and intent of Vision Zero. What’s NOT to like about the goal of no crashes, no injuries, no fatalities to the most vulnerable users of our transportation system – cyclists and pedestrians, who have been NYBC’s core constituency for over 25 years! We are looking to our colleagues at Transportation Alternatives and Vision Zero USA for leadership on this issue, which is both an advocacy and educational campaign. There will be a Vision Zero training at the 2017 New York State Bike Summit and we are certain that will be a very popular session!

Making Streets & Roads Safe for All Users

Vision Zero

Vision Zero is a multi-national traffic safety project which aims to achieve a road and street system with no fatalities or serious injuries in traffic. Vision Zero originated in Sweden in the late 90s. A core principle of the vision is that ‘Life and health can never be exchanged for other benefits within the society rather than the more conventional comparison between costs and benefits, where a monetary value is placed on life and health, and then that value is used to decide how much money to spend on a road network towards the benefit of decreasing how much risk.

In New York City

In the past ten years in New York City, more people were killed in traffic than murdered by guns, and every year more than 70,000 New Yorkers are seriously injured in traffic crashes. In 2008, the City of New York set a goal of halving traffic deaths by 2030, while Transportation Alternatives, an advocacy group in NYC,stepped up spreading the idea and action steps for eliminating traffic deaths.

In 2011, Transportation Alternatives, published Vision Zero: How Safer Streets in New York City Can Save More Than 100 Lives a Year, recommending the City of New York adopt a Vision Zero policy to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries to zero. Thanks to the work of Transportation Alternatives, Families for Safe Streets, and many others, Mayor de Blasio released the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan, a 63-step programmatic approach to Vision Zero – a two-decade goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries on New York City streets.

Crash Not Accident

Traffic crashes are fixable problems, caused by dangerous streets and unsafe drivers. They are not accidents. Let’s stop using the word “accident” today. Will you take the pledge today?

Close Calls Database

The Close Calls Databaseis an online database that enables you to report and track any “close calls” (AKA aggression) and harassment you may experience from people who are driving. When a motorist vocally threatens and/or harasses you, passes you within several inches, or tries to run you off the road, make sure to document these acts of aggression and hostility to build a case against drivers. You’ll also want to make sure to file a formal police report. Reporting an incident in the Close Calls Database will make it available to your fellow cyclists now and store it for access by the authorities in the future if the driver “acts out” again. Filing a quick report may save someone’s life.

Registering on the Close Calls Database will also allow you to receive notice when danger surfaces in the community where you ride.

There is also a map that shows other incidents in your area and throughout the country. Please make sure to always make a report to your local police department.

Honoring those who’ve been killed & injured

World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims

World Day of Remembranceis commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year – to remember the many millions killed and injured on the world’s roads. It is also a Day on which we thank the emergency services and reflect on the tremendous burden and cost of this daily continuing disaster to families, communities and countries, and on ways to halt it.

Road deaths and injuries are sudden, violent, traumatic events. Their impact is long-lasting, often permanent. Each year, millions of newly injured and bereaved people from every corner of the world are added to the countless millions who already suffer. Many of the crashes could and should have been prevented and because governments’ and society’s response to road death and injury and to bereaved and injured victims is often inadequate, unsympathetic, and inappropriate to a loss of life or quality of life.

Ride of Silence

The Ride of Silence is a national and international event that usually takes place in May of each year. The Ride of Silence is locally organized by groups and/or individuals who ride in honor of people who have been injured and killed. This event is a great way to bring awareness to people who ride a bicycle as well as to the importance of making our roads safer for all users, especially for people who ride a bike and walk.

List New York locations we are aware of having an event and contact information

Resources for those who organize a Ride of Silence or are interested in doing so.

In Memoriam – this page is a permanent place where we can remember those cyclists who have been killed due to a bicycle/motorist crash.

Ghost Bike

A ghost bike (AKA ghostcycle or WhiteCycle) is a bicycle that is painted white and is set up as a roadside memorial (often with flowers, candles, and so forth) in a location near where a cyclist has been killed or severely injured (usually by a person driving a motor-vehicle). Apart from being a memorial, it is usually intended as a reminder for motorists to safely pass people who are riding a bicycle.

Genea Barnes tracks down and documents ghosts bikes across the U.S. in an unforgettable new book called Don’t Forget Me.